WNEG News

It’s Friday, the last day of September. It is also the last day when you will be able to buy gas without the gas tax. That means there will likely be some long lines at area gas stations today as motorists try to fill up before the tax is re-instated tomorrow. Governor Sonny Perdue lifted the gas tax in Georgia shortly after Hurricane Katrina in order to keep fuel prices low for consumers. Prices are expected to go up at least 15 cents a gallon after today.

Meantime, Perdue extended the state’s price gouging statute another two weeks to October 14. The statute protects Georgia consumers from unlawful increases in gas prices and other products. The Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs continues to monitor and investigate incidences of price gouging.

Consumers are encouraged to report any suspected incidences of excessive prices at www.gasgouger.org or by calling (404) 651-8600 or (800) 869-1123. Any violators of Georgia 's price gouging statute will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

The City of Toccoa is one step closer to making the canopy and mall removal on Doyle Street a reality. Yesterday, they received confirmation of the first of three grant awards, according to Main Street Director Connie Tabor. "We received notice this week from the ARC that we have received a $300,000 grant to go towards the canopy removal," Tabor announced.

The Application Regional Commission is a partnership of the governors of the thirteen Appalachian states and a Presidential appointee representing the federal government. ARC is designed to provide matching grant funds to eligible applicants in support of economic development.

With this grant, work could begin on the downtown renovation, but Tabor says the City will wait until the rest of the grant money comes in. Toccoa is seeking half-million dollar grants from each of three other sources, the 1Georgia Authority, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and USDA Rural Development.

It’s not too late for graduates and former students of old Toccoa High School to get in on the activities scheduled for this week-end during the “All Class Re-Union”. Alumni President Dan Minish said that all you have to do is show up at the Elk’s Lodge this evening or the Barbecue Saturday and buy a ticket.

Tonight’s activity starts at 6pm and guests can purchase a ticket for $15 which would include the Saturday night gathering at the lodge as well. Tickets for the barbecue Saturday are $10. Over 500 former students and graduates will be in town for the third “Al Class Re-Union”.

A Hospitality Room has been set up for the special guests this afternoon from 1-4PM and again Saturday morning from 9-11am at the Just Right Catering on Toccoa’s Downtown Mall.

Authorities are looking for a stolen vehicle taken from a home on DeFoor Road. Theodore Swilling told deputies that when he arrived home from work Wednesday he found one of his vehicles missing. It is described as a white Buick Regal 2-door sedan hard top. Swilling said the car was parked on his property when he left for work that morning.

The Ingles parking lot was the scene of a drug bust this week. It happened Wednesday evening when officers stopped a 2002 silver Lincoln with drive out tags for a routine traffic violation.

Officers arrested 26-year old Robert Shannon Neal of Brookhaven Circle; 18-year old Jared Tyler Meeks of Eastanollee, and 19-year old Ryan Lewis Smith of Oak Valley Road. All three are charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. They were transported to the Stephens County Jail.

Authorities are looking for a black male who tried to use a stolen credit card at a local convenience store.

The manager of the Royal Foods on Highway 106 told deputies the man tried to pay for groceries with the card, but when he was asked for identification, he paid with cash and left – leaving the credit card behind.

A “BOLO” was placed for a white ford 4-door sedan with Florida tags driven by a white female. The credit card and surveillance video were placed into evidence with the Stephens county sheriff’s department.

A Franklin County man was sentenced to two years in prison for moonshining more than 40 years ago – today he is a free man. 71-year old Rufus Edward harries of Canon is one of 14 people granted pardons by President George W. Bush.

Harris was convicted of possession of unpaid whiskey taxes in 1963 and sentenced to prison. Seven years later in 1970, was sentenced to five years in prison, which was later reduced to two years probation. The former car and tractor salesman was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. His wife says Harris wanted to clear his name before he died.

A disgruntled ex-employee of the Zaxby’s on Big A Road is charged with robbing her former employer Monday night. Toccoa Police Chief Jackie Whitmire said a tip lead to the arrest of 19-year Tamesha Michelle Smith on Wednesday. “The detectives found about half of the stolen money from the Monday robbery in her apartment,” Whitmire said. “They also found evidence in her bedroom linking her to the crime,” he said.

Whitmire said authorities in Hartwell issued a warrant for Smith yesterday and she was arrested immediately. “We brought her back to Toccoa and she is currently being held in the Stephens County Jail. She was a former employee of the restaurant,” Whitmire said. If convicted, Smith faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.

Whitmire said that his detectives are still working diligently on the armed robbery of the Habersham Bank branch on S. Big A Rd last Friday morning. Two suspects who got away on green and white Ninja motorcycles are being sought.

Plans are finalized for the 2005 Camp Toccoa Reunion coming up in just two weeks on October 7 through the 9. Veterans who trained on Currahee Mountain at Camp Toccoa will be in town for several days of events that will also include public participation.

On Friday the 7th, the Historical Society will dedicate the stable that has been re-assembled after being shipped from its original home in Aldbourne, England. Volunteers from the U.K. have been in Toccoa the past two weeks re-assembling the stable that housed troops from the 506^th paratroopers during World War Two. Other events that weekend include the annual Currahee Challenge road race on the mountain, as well as a military memorabilia show and re-enactment at the airport, and a banquet to honor the veterans. To register for the Currahee Challenge 5k, 10k and walk, you can call the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce at 886-2132.

An Alabama man escaped serious injury Wednesday afternoon after he ditched his plane into the waters of Lake Hartwell. Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland said that the pilot told authorities he was flying from Alabama to South Carolina to show the plane to a prospective buyer. “About 4PM Wednesday, the pilot reported engine trouble. Instead of trying to land the plane on some dry land, he chose to hit the water, which was really a good decision, because he sustained some minor scrapes and bruises, but other than that he was not hurt,” Cleveland said.

The pilot was identified as 73-year-old Christopher Hayne of Foley, Alabama. Mr. Hayne managed to swim away from the crash site and was rescued from the water by a passerby on a jet ski. He was taken to the Corps of Engineers Office where the crash was reported. Sheriff Cleveland said that the plane is still in the water “We are awaiting some insurance people to come take a look at the plane before it can be removed from the lake,” the Sheriff explained. “It’s going to take a pretty large barge with a crane or something to remove the plane and we don’t know just when that is going to be.” Sheriff Cleveland says it will probably be a couple of days before officials can remove the plane from the water.

Teams from Northeast Georgia Disaster Relief are headed back down to the Gulf region this weekend and they are in desperate need of donations of building supplies and other items. Over 4,000 homes in D’ibberville, Mississippi were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and people are living in tents, but according to team member Lisa Amos, there’s not enough to go around. “We especially need tents,” Amos said.

Other supplies needed include lanterns, air nail guns, sleeping bags, bottled water, and non-perishable food. Teams are also working to repair several churches in the area so they can be used as temporary housing for storm victims as well. Amos says teams plan to go back to Mississippi every weekend for the next several months at least. “We’re already planning for Christmas and want to have a toy drive for the kids,” she said.

Another need is diesel-powered generators. Donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday at Robert Bosch Tools in the Meadowbrook industrial park off highway 17. Amos is keeping a blog site with photos of their trips at: http://negadisasterrelieffund.blogspot.com.

A school guidance counselor who reported the Marstellers, former owners of Ben Street Nightclub, to the Department of Family and Children Services says she wants her name cleared of any wrongdoing. Tammy and David Marsteller sued the school system and Suzanne Crowe claiming she circulated an email through two school systems calling them devil worshippers. Crowe says she is glad they decided to drop the suit.

“I think it was best for all concerned,” she said. In a letter to AM630 WNEG and The Toccoa Record, Crowe said, “I am disappointed that no one was willing to publicly exonerate me of any unprofessional conduct.” She says she wants the public to know she followed school procedure and wants her to clear her professional reputation.

DFACS investigated the report and found no wrongdoing on the part of the Marstellers. After the suit was dropped, Stephens County School Superintendent Gary Steppe issued a statement saying he was glad the suit was over, but did not mention any employees named in the suit. The Marstellers said they called off the lawsuit because of the stress it was causing their family.

The City of Toccoa has agreed to lease land on the corner of Tugalo and Big A Roads to the Paul Anderson Foundation for a park in his honor. This week, commissioners voted to lease the property to the Downtown Development Authority for 50 years for a dollar a year. The DDA will then lease the property to the Foundation for 50 years.

Commissioners however, voted to include a stipulation that the lease will only remain in effect so long as the park is maintained and being used as a park. If not, the land will revert back to the city. Earlier this summer, the Foundation told commissioners they plan to hold a large fundraiser in Augusta this November to raise money for the park, which will include a large statue of the famous weightlifter.

The Stephens County Hospital Authority has approved the spending of over $100,000 to upgrade some equipment in its New Impressions unit. Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell said that the Joint Hospital Accreditation Committee has recommended the procedure.

Gambrell indicated that the hospital needs to get a new infant monitoring system because the one in current use is between seven and eight years old. The hospital will actually purchase the new equipment from the same company that made the current machine. The upgrade monitoring machine will cost about $134,000.

Gambrell said the new piece of equipment will enable nurses to monitor both the mother and the infant continuously, without the use of the old fashioned monitoring strips the hospital is currently using.

Plans are in the works for one of Martin’s finest events - the Martin Fall Festival. Mayor Don Foster said that the Martin Women’s club is the driving force behind this attraction. "Let me tell you, the Martin Women’s club is the group that makes this festival the successful event that it is," Foster said. “We try to help out by making sure the grass is cut and the porta-potties are in place. But we think the event will be a lot of fun and we hope that everyone in the area will come visit during that day,” he said.

The colorful event is always held on the last weekend in October and draws arts and craftsman from the NE Georgia area as well as local artists. Over 100 booths will line Highway 17 through the city for the all-day event and the city council is hoping to help out with fresh plants decorating the town. The council is hoping to obtain some benches to also be placed along Main Street for those who wish to sit and enjoy the activity.

The State Justice Department has approved the city of Toccoa’s application for holding municipal elections in November. City attorney John Dickerson made the announcement Monday at their regular meeting.

Dickerson said the Justice Department also approved having the County Registrar oversee the election for the City. The County earlier agreed to supply 10 computer voting booths and monitor the election.

The Justice Department, however, will not allow the City of Toccoa to put several straw polls on the November ballot. According to Dickerson, state law requires all questions on a ballot to first be passed through local legislation. Commissioners had wanted to put three questions on the ballot. The first asked whether the City should institute term limits for Commissioners. They also wanted to get citizen input on the idea of County/City consolidation. That question became moot when both the County and City appointed a Consolidation Study Committee last month. The third question had to do with canopy removal. On Monday, Commissioners agreed not to pursue the questions any further.

Five Toccoa citizens will serve on the newly formed Historic Preservation Commission. This week, Commissioners appointed Terry Carter, Toby Goodlett, Robert Williams, Lamar Davis, and Thurston Estes to serve on that board.

State law requires one member represent the City Planning Commission and one member represent the Downtown Development Authority. Both Carter and Goodlett will serve two-year terms until June 30, 2007. The three other members will serve three-year terms through June 30, 2008. Forming the Historic Preservation Commission is the first step towards the City’s Historic Preservation ordinance.

Over 500 graduates and former students of old Toccoa High School will be gathering in Toccoa this week-end for their “Class Re-Union. The event, scheduled every two years, will be held over two days and Alumni Association President Dan Minish said that over 500 reservations have already been made. He said that the graduate who will be coming the farthest for the event will be making the trip in from California. The oldest graduate who plans to attend is a member of the Class of 1930 who lives in Atlanta.

The graduates will attend a social at the Elk’s Lodge Friday evening, enjoy an outdoor barbecue at Boyd Field Saturday at 12 noon and have another social at the Elk’s Lodge on Saturday evening. A Hospitality room will be set up at Thacker Hall, next to the Toccoa Record office on Doyle Street on Friday from 1-4PM.

MCDONALD SAYS FUEL SUPPLIES ADEQUATE AS STUDENTS RETURN TO CLASS
September 28, 2005

It’s the first day back to school following a two-day break, ordered by Governor Sonny Perdue. The unexpected holiday was mandated to conserve diesel fuel for the state’s school busses in the wake of Hurricane Rita, which was bearing down on the Texas Coast last weekend.

The highly controversial move was both praised and criticized, depending on which political party one subscribed to, but the questions remains, did the move actually save fuel and energy? We asked that question to Beth McDonald, Transportation Director for the Stephens County School System. She is in charge of the system’s school busses and she said that for the present time, the answer is “Yes.”

“Hopefully, the system did save money by not being in session these past two days,” McDonald said. “There were a couple of trips that were cancelled, but I don’t know if the activities and these past two days will have to be made up or not. If they are, the cost will simply be shifted to later in the school year when prices probably will be lower,” she said.

Typically, the system pumps 500 gallons of fuel a day for the school system’s busses. McDonald said that she received a load of diesel fuel on Monday and now has a full 17-day supply in the ground. School Superintendent Gary Steppe also ordered the air conditioning shut down in all of the school buildings for the last two days in an effort to cut down on energy consumption in the system.

Bradley Collins, the Youth Pastor at Glad Tidings Assembly of God remains up in the air today, attempting to raise funds for a mission program. Collins is in his lofty perch along side the Java Station on S. Big A Road and has been there since last Sunday. He told WNEG News by cell phone that things are going very well. “I’ve even been fortunate enough not to be rained on while I’m up here,” Collins chuckled. “But folks have been very good to me and the whole effort has been well worth it,” he concluded. This is the second year that Collins has climbed the scaffolding and waved to people passing by , hoping they will offer financial help for children, this year including victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

Collins is raising money for the Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade. The money raised through this effort will go to provide materials for the children, especially those children that have been displaced by the storms. He hopes to raise about $5000 before he comes back down. So far, Collins said he has raised only about $300. He will stay on his perch until about midnight Friday night. He will only come down in the case of personal emergencies and extremely bad weather.

Toccoa police investigators are searching for a suspect who robbed the Zaxby’s Chicken restaurant on Big A Road. It happened last night about 9:45. Police spokesman Captain Butch Newkirk said officers responded immediately. “The suspect was dressed in dark clothing and a black mask,” Newkirk said. “He grabbed the money bag from the employee and fled the restaurant on foot,” he said.

K-9 units from Lee Arrendale State Prison were called in to assist in the search, but they were not able to locate the suspect. Newkirk advises business owners and employees to be more aware of their surroundings – especially when handling money. “We will also provide an escort for businesses transporting money to the bank. All they have to do is call the Police station and we will follow them to the bank,” Newkirk noted.

This is the second armed robbery in Toccoa in less than a week. Last Friday, Habersham Bank on Big A Road was robbed by two suspects who fled on a green and white Ninja motorcycle.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office continues its mission to rid the County of drug dealers with another arrest yesterday. This time, according to Sheriff Gene Sorrels, the bust happened in Martin. Sorrells says officers arrested 29-year old Timothy Scott Fitzgerald of Toccoa.

Fitzgerald is charged with trafficking methamphetamine after he allegedly tried to sell more than two ounces of the drug to an undercover officer. He is being held in the Stephens County Jail awaiting bond. The Meth had a street value of about $14,000.

Puppies and kittens are cute, but not when you can’t find homes for them. Having a pet spayed or neutered solves that problem, but many cannot afford to have the procedure done. That is why Dr. Amber Polvere and Susan Thompson, a veterinarian and vet tech from Washington, Georgia have teamed up to provide low-cost spays and neuters via a mobile vet clinic that will be in Toccoa October 18.

Sponsored by the non-profit group, “Leftover Pets,” the goal is to help reduce the high number of unwanted pets in Georgia. Spokeswoman Sarah Matthews says the charges will be about half of what one would normally pay at a vet’s office.

The mobile spay/neuter clinic will arrive early the morning of October 18 and will be parked on the grounds of the Stephens County Animal Control shelter on Highway 145. People can drop off their pets on the way to work and pick them up after work.

Matthews says they will try to do up to 30 animals a day. To make an appointment and get pricing information you can call Leftover Pets’ at 706-743-3411. The mobile clinic hopes to be in Toccoa at least once a month.

They have been working on reconstructing a British stable at the new Toccoa-Stephens County Historical Society museum for over a week, and last night the four men from the United Kingdom were made honorary citizens of Toccoa. Keith Showery, his son Stephen, Tim Green and Sam McCallum were on hand to receive the recognition. Sam McCollum said he never expected the recognition. “This is overwhelming,” McCallum stated. “It’s the last thing I ever expected and I thank you very much,” he said.

In the proclamation, the City praised the men for their generosity of spirit and expressed the City’s appreciation. Volunteer Tim Green says he decided to be a part of the team for reasons that had nothing to do with last night’s honor. “Well it was an opportunity not to be missed,” Green explained. “This is my first time in this part of the world and it’s an experience I shall never forget,” he concluded.

The men are from various parts of the UK and have been in Toccoa since the 17^th putting together the stable that was used as housing for the 506^th paratroopers during world war two. They plan to stay through the Camp Toccoa Reunion next month.

People living along Avon Street in Toccoa are upset about the noise and filth they say is coming from a house where 20 pit bulldogs are being kept. Glenn Marcus says he and his neighbors have enough of the constant barking. Marcus says the dog’s food is attracting rats and flies and the rats are coming onto his property.

The dogs belong to Victor and Vince Boyd of 203 Avon Street. Toccoa assistant police chief Curtis Scott tells WNEG they are working with the Boyds to take care of the problem. The dogs were reported last summer to animal control when concerned neighbors said the dogs, which are kept tied to dog houses in Boyd’s backyard, were going without water, food and proper shelter.

At that time, the dogs were confiscated by animal control and checked by a local veterinarian who found some to be malnourished. Despite that, they were returned to the owner with a warning. Scott says he checked on the dogs yesterday and did not hear any barking. However, Mrs. Marcus says the dogs bark constantly.

The Toccoa Police will be getting four new Ford Crown Victoria’s from Ford-Lincoln Mercury of Toccoa. City commissioners who after some discussion, voted to go with the larger 8-cylinder vehicles over the smaller Chevy Impalas, made that decision last night. Before the vote, mayor Ken Davis expressed concern that Crown Victoria's will cost more to operate.

However, commissioner Bob Troup indicated the City mechanics were already familiar with working on Crown Victoria’s and had parts available. He also said the bigger cars will better accommodate some of the force’s larger police officers.

Davis, said he got positive feedback from the Gwinnett County Sheriff, who told him they have been using the Chevy Impalas for a number of years. “They made the switch from the larger Crown Victoria’s to the Chevy Impala’s several years ago,” Davis noted. “I spoke with their head of vehicle maintenance and he told me they are very satisfied with how the Impalas have performed,” he said.

Commissioner David Austin asked if they could wait and buy two cars now and two later, but all agreed the police force needs at least four new cruisers immediately. The City will pay $23,000 for each of the vehicles.

The unemployment rate in the Georgia Mountains Region dropped slightly in August to 4.1% from 4.7% in July. In addition, the area’s jobless rate was also down six-tenths of a percent from July to 4.0%.

Here in Stephens County, the unemployment rate for August was 5.5% - down almost a full percentage point from 6.2% in July and over a percentage point from a year ago when the unemployment was 6.4%. In august, the labor force in Stephens County was 13,115. Of those, 12,397 were employed, while 718 were without jobs. For the state overall in August, the unemployment rate was 5.2% - down from 5.6% in July.

Complaints from customers of dirty water have prompted City Water/Wastewater director Don Dye to order a system wide flushing. The flushing will begin October 2 and will be done five days a week through October 27.

Dye says sediment in the pipes is causing the problem. “The sediment builds up in the pipes over time and gets shaken loose, so we’re going to be flushing the entire water system, section by section,” Dye said. “Hopefully, we will do this every year from now on,” he said. The flushing will be done from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. The last time the water system was flushed was in 2003.

Two women were arrested over the weekend and charged with shoplifting at the Wal-mart on Big A Road. 21-year old Stephanie Olsen of Toccoa and 18-year old Jennifer Griffin of Toccoa were taken into custody by a Wal-mart security officer on Friday. The pair is charged with stealing more than $200 worth of merchandise from the store.

A Carnesville man was told not to go into the Toccoa Housing Authority, but he did anyway and he was arrested. Police charged 28-year old Carlos Montez Bullard with criminal trespass after a woman called police alleging Bullard beat her with his belt. Officers found Bullard sitting on the victim’s front porch on Woods Street Sunday.

A routine traffic stop turned into a drug bust and a warrant arrest for another Toccoa man. 20-year old Jesse Littleton was stopped by police on an outstanding warrant charge. Officers searched his vehicle and say they found a bottle of the drug diazapam that, they say, Littleton admitted he did not have a prescription for.

In addition, police arrested another Carnesville man and charged him with leaving the scene of an accident. 38-year old Roy Lee Carrel allegedly sideswiped another vehicle when he pulled onto Highway 17 near the Mountain Mart convenience store. Carrel allegedly fled the scene, but arrested the next day.

Local, state and federal authorities continue to search for two suspects who robbed the Habersham bank branch on big a road Friday. Police chief Jackie Whitmire says since the robbery, they have received dozens of calls, tips, and have checked out each one. “We’ve gotten numerous calls from citizens,” Whitmire said. “The GBI, FBI, and local detectives spent until about 2 a.m. Friday night/Saturday morning checking out each lead but so far we haven’t come up with anything, but we’re grateful to the citizens,” he said.

The robbery happened about 11 a.m. Friday morning. Tellers told authorities two men wearing masks and motorcycle helmets entered the bank, and as one held a gun to the tellers and sprayed them with pepper spray, the other jumped the counter and cleaned out several cash drawers. The pair fled on a green and white Ninja motorcycle.

Investigators say the bank surveillance tape does not give them much to go on except that they fled down the Rothell Road Extension. Anyone with information on either the suspects or if you have seen a motorcycle fitting that description is asked to contact the police department at 886-8655.

Work on the new e-911 dispatch center equipment installation is expected to begin within the next couple of weeks now that the contracts have been awarded. On Friday, commissioners awarded the contracts for the radio communications equipment, the computer aided dispatch, and console equipment. Local company Gunby Communications walked away with three of the four contracts, including the radio equipment, automatic number identification system, and automatic line identification equipment contracts. Interact; Inc. received the contract for the computer-aided dispatch equipment.

Once the equipment is ordered, installation is expected to take about three months to complete. In other business, commissioners set this Friday, September 30 at 10 a.m. at the day and time to close on the old middle school property.

City commissioners are expected to announce their decision on whether to buy a Ford or a Chevy. Commissioners are looking to purchase four new police cruisers for the Toccoa Police Department and two weeks ago mulled over five bids from dealerships as far as away as Augusta.

The Ford dealerships include: Prather Ford Mercury in Calhoun, Georgia; Bobby Jones Ford in Augusta, Georgia; Jackie Jones Ford in Cleveland, Georgia; and Ford Lincoln Mercury of Toccoa. The Ford dealerships would sell the City either 2005 or 2006 Crown Victorias with the Police Interceptor Package.

Also bidding were two Chevy dealerships including, Maypole Chevrolet in Toccoa; and Hardy Chevrolet in Dallas, Georgia. They would sell the city 2005 or 2006 Chevy Impala’s with the Police Pursuit Package.

Bids ranged from $20,000 to almost $24,000. However, it was not clear to Commissioners if each dealership was offering the same equipment package. Commissioners then voted to have City staff to go back and double check each bid offer before making a decision.

You may have seen him.... high in the sky over the Java Station on your way to work or school this morning. For the second time, Glad Tidings Assembly of God church youth pastor Bradley Collins is “Up in the Air For Kids.”

Collins is trying to raise $5,000 for the church’s Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade, which helps abandoned and orphaned children in the U.S. and around the world. Collins will be stationed on his treetop platform for the next six days and will only come down in the case of personal emergencies or truly dangerous weather. Collins says 100% of the monies raised will go to help the children.

There's no snow, but elementary, middle, and high school students in Stephens County are taking two snow days today and tomorrow at the request of Governor Sonny Perdue. On Friday, Perdue held a conference call with all school superintendents in Georgia asking them to cancel class today and tomorrow. Only three school systems are in class today, Rome City, Floyd County, and Thomasville City. Perdue made the request, he announced Friday, as a cost saving measure to conserve diesel fuel and energy in anticipation of possible damage to oil refineries in the Gulf. Many refineries stopped operations before Hurricane Rita arrived. Most expect to up and running again by next week.

Perdue also signed an executive order that eliminates non-essential travel by state employees. He is also encouraging companies to allow employees to telecommute and urging alternative scheduling for private and non-essential state offices in order to save on fuel costs.

CONFERENCE CENTER RECEIVES RITA EVACUEES
September 26, 2005

Stephens County never saw victims of Hurricane Katrina, but the Georgia Baptist Conference Center is now playing host to victims of hurricane Rita. Center director Bill Wheeler says 14 evacuees found their way to the center in the wee hours of Friday morning. “We received a call from the American Red Cross yesterday,” Wheeler said. “They told us to be on alert to receive evacuees and at about 2 a.m. Friday morning we received about 14 people, most of whom come from assisted living centers in Texas,” he said. Another 30 or more evacuees are expected tonight.

The evacuees are part of approximately 2,500 patients that were evacuated from Belmont, Texas via the American Red Cross and the Northeast Georgia Health System in Gainesville to Dobbins Air Force base in Marietta Thursday night.

It has not known how many more evacuees the Center may be receiving, but because of all of the donations given to the center after Hurricane Katrina, Wheeler says right now the Center has all the supplies and volunteers it needs. Evacuees from hurricane Rita were also being taken to shelters in Columbus and Muscogee counties where many Katrina victims are also being housed.

GRAND JURY INVESTIGATES COUNTY COMMISSION'S SPLOST IV PRIORITIES
September 23, 2005

The Stephens County Grand Jury is investigating how County Commissioners are spending SPLOST IV monies. Grand Jury secretary Joy Haynor says there appears to be confusion on the timeline of SPLOST IV projects. “The number one concern is the question, ‘Is there a timeline for the spending of the funds?’ Haynor asked. “And there is some confusion as to the priorities of the projects. I think the Commissioners think one way about what the priority list is and the rest of us felt like when it was presented to the voters, the jail was listed first. We thought they were listed in order of priority. Then when we found out from the Sheriff that he has not seen any evidence or talk about the jail, we were concerned,” she concluded.

This week, the Grand Jury heard testimony from County Administrator Darrell Hampton, County Commission chairman Steve Chitwood, and State Representative Jeanette Jamieson. When citizens voted for SPLOST IV in 2002, construction of a new jail was at the top of the ballot, but Commissioners instead voted to purchase new ambulances first and then implement e-911. Though it has been done in the past, Commissioners are reluctant to forward-fund the jail, fearing it will plunge the County back into debt, but Haynor says some have testified waiting could cost the County more money than the $7 million allocated for the project. “Some feel if you wait until you have most of the money, then the construction costs could possibly go up 50% to 100%,” Haynor said.

The Grand Jury will hear from each Commissioner individually October 20 and will release their findings and recommendation at a later date. County Administrator Darrell Hampton says he prefers not to comment on the Grand Jury investigation until after they issue their findings.

County Commissioners will meet for a last-minute called session this afternoon to make some final decisions regarding the e-911 dispatch center. Commissioners are expected to award several bids on the project, including the radio communications equipment, the computer aided dispatch, and console equipment.

They also plan to have chairman Steve Chitwood sign all documents related to the e-911 property closing and transfer. Earlier this week, the Stephens County School Board accepted the revised contract offer for the property.

In other business, Commissioners will consider amending the health care master contract for county employees. Commissioners have discussed moving the effective date of coverage for new employees from one month to 90-days as a cost-saving measure. However, Commissioner Rex Anderson believes offering medical insurance after 30 days is an attractive benefit for potential employees.

Today’s meeting takes place at noon in the County Commission meeting room of the Courthouse Annex.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAYS ID CHECKS SHOULD CURB CHECK FORGERIES
September 23, 2005

Mountain Judicial District Attorney Michael Crawford is letting local businesses know his office is committed to prosecuting check forgers. In a letter released to all Stephens County merchants and business owners yesterday, Assistant District Attorney Rick Bridgeman said that while they plan to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all forgery cases, “the case is only as good as the evidence that can be collected.”

In addition, he called on local business owners to make sure they get that evidence from the person who wrote the bad check. Rickman says there is few simple steps merchants can take to help put a dent in forgeries. “The most important thing they can do is check IDs,” Bridgeman explained. “The clerk needs to make sure the writer of the check can provide a valid Georgia ID. They also need to check and make sure the photo and the signature matches the person writing the check,” he said.

- Make sure employees check the picture and signatures to make sure they match the check writer

This week, Stephens County Sheriff’s investigators arrested two people on check fraud charges in separate cases. In the first, 24-year old Brittany Michelle Fowler of Eastanollee is charged with 11 counts of forgery and a parole warrant. In addition, 34-year old Jody James Carter of Tallulah Falls is charged with 12 counts of forgery and a probation warrant.

STEPHENS FEDERAL SENDS OVER $6,000 TO AMERICAN RED CROSS-
September 23, 2005

The account for the American Red Cross at Stephens Federal Bank continues to bring in funds for Katrina relief efforts. According to spokeswoman Kim Hudgins, the bank has taken in just over $6,000 since the account was opened three weeks ago. Now that Hurricane Rita is bearing down on the Gulf Coast, Hudgins say the account will remain open.

Meantime, another tractor-trailer is on its way to Mississippi from Stephens County loaded with supplies and food. The truck left yesterday from Owens Farm and Home Supply carrying some of the donations left at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center as well as food and bottled water. They will be delivered to a staging area in Gulf Port, Mississippi.

Members of the Stephens County Board of Education were recognized this week for successfully completing board member training from the Georgia School Boards Association. Receiving certificates of completion at this week’s school board meeting were Elaine DeFoor, Debbie Horton, George Payne, Elizabeth Pinkerton, Jerry Steele, James Thomas, and Curtis Waters.

School Superintendent Gary Steppe tells WNEG Georgia was one of the first states to require that local school board members receive training to ensure quality educational leadership.

Board members receive training on such topics as Georgia’s Quality Basic Education Act, budgeting and financing, policy issues, and community relations.

The Stephens County Hospital Authority has approved a new contract with a local anesthesiologist. Ed Gambrell, Stephens County Hospital Administrator said that the hospital was simply renewing a previous contract.

Dr. Paul Easley already had short contract with the hospital which expired September 30th.The physician employs several other doctors and nurses who work with surgical patients This new contract starts October first of this year and runs through March of 2007.

The Authority met with members of the hospital nursing staff and representatives of the medical staff to get their approval of the new contract.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s office reported seven separate incidents of vandalism following last Friday night’s football game between Stephens county and Hart County.

Seven vehicles were splashed with body paint. All of the vehicles were parked next to a mobile unit near the band room.

Three of the vehicles belonged to students at the high school, others apparently belonged to visitors who were watching the football game.

DRUG ARRESTS SEND A MESSAGE
September 22, 2005

Earlier this week, the Stephens County Sheriff’s department, the Toccoa Police Department and the Piedmont Northern MANS Drug Unit announced the arrest of seventeen people on various drug charges.

Stephens County Sheriff Gene Sorrells said that the investigation into the arrest of these subjects had been on-going since the first of the year. He indicated that the joint investigations have been going on for a period of about eight months and some of the suspects are from Hartwell and Gainesville.

Sorrells said that these arrests are sending a message to those persons who are in the drug business that sooner or later, the law is going to get them.

The three agencies are working hard every day to apprehend the suspects and more information on them will be released when they are picked up. The agencies continue their work both in the city and in the county and more arrests are expected.

Last December, Governor Sonny Perdue announced the hiring of some 500 new DFACS caseworkers for offices throughout the state. Kenny Jarvis, director of the Stephens County Department of Family and Children’s Services announced that three of those new case workers will be working in the local office.

Jarvis said that the new workers actually came to the Stephens County office in the summer and are now in training. Two of the new workers will be in child protective services and one will be working in the foster child program.

Even with the new case workers, Jarvis said that the department still has a very heavy caseload and the number of cases is rapidly increasing. He said that right now, his office has close to 100 children in foster care and they are getting close to 60 referrals per month, which is a 40 to 50 per cent increase over last year. The director said he feels like one of the reasons for the increasing case load is the increasing activity in the use of methamphetamine and all of the bad things that can happen in situations like that.

The new caseworkers are Patricia Johnson, who is from Stephens County and formerly worked with the Toccoa Police Department; and Paul Rivard and Brett Wasko, both of whom received degrees from Toccoa Falls College.

VOYLES AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA DISASTER AID TEAM TO LEAVE FRIDAY
September 22, 2005

Another Northeast Georgia Disaster Relief team is headed back to Mississippi this weekend to continue their efforts of helping Katrina victims rebuild. Devon Voyles started his weekly trips soon after Katrina wiped out most of the Gulf Coast two weeks ago. He plans to leave early Friday morning and spend most of next week down there. Moreover, despite the threat of Hurricane Rita now over the area, Voyles says there is still a lot more work to be done. “We’re still going to go,” Voyles said. “We’ll probably stay east of Hurricane Rita and wait it out, then we’ll go into the other areas once the storm goes on by,” he said.

Most of the donations they need for this trip are cleaning and building supplies and there’s still time for anyone who would like to drop off donations. Voyles says his teams are working in several different areas along the Gulf Coast. “We’re working with about six churches and about 10 houses,” he explained. “In all, we’re helping about 400 people,” Voyles said.

Depending on where Rita hits, Voyles says his team will also be going to those areas in Texas that may need their help, so donations of water and non-perishable food are also welcome. Drop off locations include Robert Bosch tools (formerly Vermont American) in the Meadowbrook industrial park and Voyles Automotive.

We have all been touched by the tragedy of Katrina and as we have seen here in Stephens County, these kinds of disasters can bring out the best in people. But they can also bring out the worst. That is why the Better Business Bureau of North Georgia is warning people to be careful of scam artists. Spokeswoman Dottie Callina says make sure you know where your money is going. “Unfortunately, people who prey on other people come out whenever there’s a major tragedy like this,” she said. “So when you give money, make sure you know you’re giving to a reputable charity,” she said.

Phone scams are common during such crisis, with con artists trying to convince you they represent a legitimate charity, such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army, according to Callina. “Be sure to ask phone solicitors to send you written information about their charity before you donate any money to them,” she said. “Also watch out for appeals from newly established charities that offer only vague description of their activities. And it’s a good rule of thumb to be wary of email spam messages requesting donations for or claiming to provide links to well-known charity sites,” Callina said. If in doubt, you can call the Better Business Bureau toll-free at 1-866-225-1090.

HIGH SCHOOL LOOKING TO PARTNER WITH STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT
September 22, 2005

The Stephens County School Board is looking at a new program from the Georgia Department of Labor that would help students find jobs after graduation. It is called, “Jobs for Georgia Graduates,” and according to Stephens County School Superintendent, Gary Steppe would help seniors and undergrads prepare for the workplace. “It’s a two-level program,” Steppe explained. “One program is just for seniors where a representative from the Labor Department will work with them to help them prepare for and find jobs. The other is a five year program that starts at the 9^th grade level and offers job training and contacts and in-class training,” he said.

Under the program, the Labor Department would have a representative working with students at the high school. The problem is finding the money to fund it. According to Steppe, the program would cost the school system $50,000 to operate, and even though the Labor Department has offered to pay for half, that still leaves $25,000 the school system would have to find, which is not in this year’s budget. Steppe says though, this is a good transition program for students who do not continue their education after high school. “We have a lot of students who go on to college or technical school and some who join the military,” Steppe said. “But we also have a lot of our children who go directly into the workforce and this program will help them get a better start. It’s a win-win situation for all concerned,” he said. Steppe says he hopes to have the Jobs for Georgia Graduates program up and running sometime this school year.

Lavonia police explorers will hold their fifth annual, First Night, an open house and awards ceremony October 3. Police explorers is a non-profit program that provides young men and women between the ages of 14-21 with practical experience in the field of law enforcement. Lavonia police chief Randy Shirley says it is also a time to honor those explorers who have excelled over the past year.

Shirley says the open house is for area youth and their parents to get a first-hand look at the program. First Night will be held Monday, October 3, at the Lavonia Community Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The board of directors of the Toccoa Boys and Girls Club has named a new interim director. Mary Rice took over the duties Monday. Rice will fill in until a permanent director can be found, according to board chairman Gary Donohue.

The appointment comes on the heels of a new effort by a group of concerned parents and citizens to get the Club back on its feet. The Parents Committee held the first of many weekly meetings on Monday. The Club on Whitman Street closed over the summer when it ran out of operating funds and director Ron Ross resigned. The parents committee plans to hold several fund raisers to help get the Club’s after school program operating again.

TWO SUSPECTS CHARGED WITH OVER 20 COUNTS OF CHECK FORGERY
September 21, 2005

Stephens County Sheriff’s investigators have cracked two major cases of check fraud and forgery. In the first, 24-year old Brittany Michelle Fowler of Eastanollee is charged with 11 counts of forgery and a parole warrant. Authorities say Fowler passed forged checks in Hall County, Gainesville, Habersham and Stephens Counties, and Oconee County, South Carolina. She’s being held in the Stephens County jail on $110,000 bond with holds placed on her by Hall and Habersham counties and the City of Gainesville.

Sheriff’s investigators also arrested 34-year old Jody James Carter of Tallulah Falls in connection with a series of forgeries of stolen checks. Those forgeries happened in Stephens, Franklin, and Habersham counties. Carter is charged with 12 counts of forgery and a probation warrant. His bond was set at $120,000 with holds placed on him by Habersham County.

The problem of head lice is bugging many parents of Stephens County school children and the Stephens County School System nurse. At last night’s school board meeting, Jennifer Steffanini introduced a tough new policy to help rid children and the schools of the problem. According to Steffanini, the same students keep re-infecting their classmates. That has parents of children who don’t have a lice problem complaining.

Steffanini says the problem stems from the parents of infected students who don’t bother to treat for nits; the eggs head lice leave behind. “The same parents are sending their children back to school without checking for nits,” Steffanini said. “They wash the lice out but that’s all and then the children come back to school and they have lice again within two weeks,” she said.

But the threat of a potential attendance problem had some school board members scratching their heads - worried a tough head lice policy would keep infected students out of school too long. Children would not be given more than two days absence to correct the problem. Steffanini said she checked with surrounding school systems and this new policy is in line with what other counties are doing.

Returning children will have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will have to wait to see if the child is free of nits before being allowed back to class. The school nurse will also recheck children within 10 days to see if the lice have returned. If so, they may not return to school without a note from their doctor and in extreme cases, the County Health Department would visit the home and help parents treat the entire house for lice. “You have to treat the whole house,” she said. “Everything has to be washed and stuffed animals have to be bagged for two weeks. It’s an all-day process,” Steffanini said.

The board voted to review the policy for 30 days before deciding whether to institute it. If approved, it would be the first time the Stephens County School System has ever had a head lice policy.

People attending Stephens County High School baseball games will soon have nicer bleachers to sit on.

Last night the school board voted to accept a bid from the Ken Stanley Company for the installation of new bleachers, according to assistant school superintendent Myron McClain. “The board accepted the lowest bid for the bleachers of $29,325,” he said.

The new bleachers will replace some old ones that were put in place about three years during a renovation project. They will also include guardrails and will be handicapped accessible. School superintendent Gary Steppe suggested the bleachers be built on a concrete pad, which he said would improve their lifespan. Board member James Thomas noted the cost of the project is some $20,000 less than what the board had approved.

KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS STILL IN FULL SWING IN STEPHENS COUNTY
September 21, 2005

Donations are still pouring in for victims of Hurricane Katrina and just about everyday we hear of another effort or get an update on an existing drive. Last week we told you about “Operation Helping Hands,” a fundraiser spearheaded by a Gainesville company with drop off points in Toccoa.

So far, the group has taken one truckload of food, clothing and other supplies down to victims in Mississippi and local coordinator Tommy Fricks says they’re about to go down again. “We’ll be leaving Friday night with a smaller truckload,” Fricks said. “The smaller trucks are better able to get into some of those areas where they have not been able to get any aid in,” he said.

There’s still time to drop off donations for Operation Helping Hands at Toccoa City Hall, Quality Foods, and the Fernside Fire Station.

If you have not registered to vote and plan to cast a ballot in the Toccoa City commission election in November, you have until October 11 to do so. Time was, when voters registered separately with the City and County for the separate elections. But that changed a decade ago, according to Stephens County Registrar Theresa Kelley. “In 1995, the Secretary of State’s office decided to combine City and County registrations into the County Registrar’s office,” Kelley said. “It has to do with the fact that the County is usually where the computer with all the voter records is located,” she said.

If any Toccoa resident is not registered to vote by October 11, they will not be able to vote in the November City election.

That’s according to this year’s campaign chairman Steve Alligood. Alligood says they’re currently working with local businesses to set goals and projects.

Alligood says they will soon be putting up their thermometer on Big A Road to measure the campaign’s progress, but says so far the campaign is off to a good start. This year’s goal is $112,000.

Another new business has opened in Toccoa and the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce was there yesterday to welcome them with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Jack Waldrip real estate recently opened new offices on Savannah Street. Waldrip says he sees a time in the near future when the growth of Atlanta will spill into Stephens County.

Waldrop currently has a main office in Gainesville and serves communities from north metro Atlanta to northeast Georgia. The Toccoa office offers four agents experienced in both residential and commercial realty.

Toccoa City mayor Ken Davis is promising to work with the two candidates running for seats on the commission to keep them informed of current issues. Davis sent an email to candidates Billy Chism and Andy Pavliscsak telling them commissioners have agreed to a quote, “routine distribution of City documents sooner rather than later,” unquote.

In the email, Davis said the practice gives candidates an opportunity to become familiar with City matters before taking their seats and ensures that potential commissioners are fully informed regarding the City’s circumstances. However, Davis said certain information would be withheld including, materials restricted by law to sitting commissioners and correspondence between Commissioners and the City Attorney.

Packets of information to be discussed at regular and called meetings will also be forwarded to Chism and Pavliscsak through the elections. Afterwards, packets will also be provided for any commissioner-elect.

There will be no elections this year in the town of Martin. The incumbent council members, Sandy Stovall and Swain Looney, and Mayor Don Foster did not receive any opposition. This is the second time in the last four years that the City has not had an election.

Mayor Foster said that the construction of a new water tank for the City’s water system is just about ready, pursuant to a loan. The City must submit a financial statement for the year 2004 before the loan in the amount of $350,000 will be approved. Construction should begin in November.

Foster said that the status of the cell tower, to be located on State Park Rd. in Avalon is the same and construction should begin on it as well very soon. The City has agreed to let the Martin Lion’s Club help with the re-finishing of the floor in the Martin Community Center. The Lion’s Club as well as the Martin Women’s Club uses the facility and the center is rented out to various groups and families for re-unions and receptions.

MORE ASSISTANCE IS ON THE WAY TO A HARRISON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, THANKS TO “STEPHENS CARES”
September 20, 2005

The Tugalo Baptist Association, AM630 WNEG, The Toccoa Record and the Georgia Baptist Assembly are working to partner donations and resources to the area debilitated by Hurricane Katrina. WNEG General Manager Phil Hobbs says the decision to send what Stephens County collected two weeks ago just makes sense. “There are already volunteers from Stephens County through Northeast Georgia Disaster Relief that has been working in the area and has been providing needed help in the area of D’iberville, repairing churches and homes, and has seen first-hand the needs of an area that government programs have yet to respond,” Hobbs said.

Devon Voyles and a group of volunteers have been going back and forth from d’iberville since the hurricane hit working with the locals to help clear away debris. A survey team will go down to Harrison County to assess the needs there.

Money raised during the "Stephens Cares" radio-thon along with items collected at the Georgia Baptist Conference will be delivered and distributed this week, according to Hobbs, who says he’s excited about the possibility of helping a community roughly the size of Toccoa. “In a disaster of this magnitude, there is no quick fix, but day by day, week by week, through the determination volunteers and giving hearts of our community, we can help get a community back on its feet,” he said.

The radio-thon raised almost $25,000 for Katrina relief. Last week, Georgia Baptist Conference Center Director Bill Wheeler said seven conference rooms at the Center are filled with donations of food, clothing and other supplies.

But the giving isn’t over here in Stephens County. Many of you contacted WNEG last week asking where you could donate to Katrina relief efforts. Operations helping hands is still taking donations of non-perishable food, clothing, pet supplies and other donations.

Right now donations may be dropped off during regular business hours at Toccoa City Hall and at the Fernside Fire Station. At least one truckload has gone down to Biloxi, Mississippi so far and another one will be going this weekend.

Also, Owens Farm and Home Supply along with New Hope Baptist Church are asking for donations of non-perishable food to help fill a tractor-trailer truck that will be delivered to victims of Katrina in Gulf Port, Mississippi.

Owner Ken Owens says they have about 25 feet of space left in the truck and they primarily need non-perishable food. The food will be delivered to a Baptist church in Gulf Port, MS where they are feeding some 300 people a day who have been left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. Donated by KCA Trucking, the tractor-trailer will be leaving Thursday or Friday. Donations may be dropped off at Owens Farm and Home Supply on Highway 106.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Department, The Toccoa Police Department and the Piedmont Northern MANS Unit arrested 17 people on a variety of drug charges over the past several days. Stephens County Sheriff Gene Sorrells says the arrests are a result of an ongoing investigation.

- Demetrius Winkfield, age 19 of Hartwell, possession of marijuana and methamphetamine

- Joslyn Hathaway, age 21 of Toccoa Falls, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute

Thornton, Zane Mack, Hathaway, Shook, Tyrus Mayfield, Robert West, and Santatarious Mack are still in the Stephens County Jail either awaiting bond or being held without bond. Sheriff Sorrells says that more arrests are expected.

The current Stephens County Hospital Authority Board remains intact with the re-election of Mark Wilkinson and Dr. Robert Slate to the board. The Authority held the election prior to the regular business meeting Monday night. The Stephens County Commissioners had submitted the names of Don Pittard and James Harris Jr. as candidates for Mark Wilkinson’s position and Dr. Harry McDonald and Shirley Churchwell as candidates for Dr. Slate’s position.

Wilkinson and Dr. Slate will each serve six-year terms that expire on September 15^th of 2011. The Authority has formally approved a new budget for the coming year, which becomes effective the first of October. Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell said the budget for fiscal 2006 shows about a 3.5% increase. “We think it’s a good budget,” Gambrell said. “We are predicting expenses of around $38.7 million, which is about two million dollars more than the current budget,” he said.

Gambrell said that there were some expenses, which the hospital has incurred because of the volume of activity in the last two years. When asked if the new budget would include any price increases for the general public, Gambrell said that it was possible, but it would not be what he called any “news worthy” hike in rates. The only department mentioned was in radiology where the hospital has spent much of their capital expenditure in the last two years, bringing the facility up to one of the finest equipped departments in the area.

In other business, the Authority approved the hiring of Pam Jones to the position of Housekeeping and Laundry Management. Her new job starts this morning.

Work is underway at the new historical museum to resurrect a British stable once used by the 506^th paratroopers during World War Two. Keith Sourby and his son arrived from Oldbourne in Wiltshire in the UK over the weekend and began work yesterday.

Sourby, a furniture maker, upholsterer, and antique restorer by trade says he got interested in the 506^th after watching the HBO series, “Band of Brothers.” “I was very impressed with the series,” Sourby noted. “So when I had an opportunity to visit my brother in Atlanta, I asked him to take us up to Toccoa so I could see Camp Toccoa where the 506^th trained. Another connection is that many of the paratroopers stayed in half-round buildings we call ‘nissenhuts,’ and my shop is in one of those buildings,” he said.

The stable is the last of a series of barns that were knocked down by the estate owner. It was donated to the historical society by the owner, and delivered to Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta last December. Two more volunteers from the UK will be arriving this week to help with the reconstruction, according to Sourby. Sourby says they plan to have the stable ready for the Camp Toccoa Reunion in October.

Parents and concerned citizens of the Toccoa chapter of the Boys and Girls Club are taking matters in to their own hands to try and get the facility re-opened. After meeting last week with the Club’s board of directors, they formed a parent/community committee. Spokeswoman and committee member Kimberly Daniel says they goal of the committee is to work with community leaders. “We are taking ownership of the Boys and Girls club,” Daniel said. “We have several fund raisers planned and we are going to meet every Monday night to find ways to get the club up and running again because we need the Boys and Girls Club in our community,” she said.

The group has a number of fundraisers planned including a Krispy Kreme donut sale and a basketball tournament next month. Another project the group is working on in conjunction with the Toccoa Police Department is cleaning up the neighborhood.

Daniel says the group meets every Monday evening at 5:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club on Whitman Street and everyone is welcome to get involved. Also, if you would like to sign up for the basketball tournament, contact Anthony Daniel at 706-371-0005 or Daniel Mayfield at 282-7249.

A Toccoa woman faces drug charges in Stephens County. On Friday, Stephens’s County Sheriff’s investigators arrested 19-year old Crystal E. Negron Ramsey. Authorities say they were called to Ramsey’s home on a domestic disturbance complaint. When they arrived, deputies allegedly found evidence of child abuse and a quantity of the prescription drugs, Loritab and hydrocodone.

Ramsey is charged with possession of a controlled substance and cruelty to children. Her child is presently under the care of the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services. Ramsey is being held in the Stephens County jail on $20,000 bond.

U.S Senator Johnny Isakson is praising the Senate’s unanimous vote to launch an investigation into the sharp rise in gas prices after hurricane Katrina. Isakson says he wants to make sure the people of Georgia and the Nation are not being ripped off. “I have great respect for the free enterprise system in American business, but in the case of gas prices right now, I believe we must be extremely vigilant and monitor prices,” Isakson said. “It’s very appropriate for the federal government to be a watch dog to make sure consumers in the U.S. and in Georgia are not victims of price gouging,” he said.

Last week, the Senate voted to have the Federal Trade Commission conducts a thorough investigation to determine if and where gas price gouging is going on throughout the supply chain. The FTC was authorized to spend at least a million dollars and provide an initial report to congress within 30 days, and a final report no later than 180 days from now.

Families of U.S. Servicemen often find navigating the U.S. Military can be confusing and time-consuming.

That’s why a local couple has formed a military family support group and they plan to hold their first meeting tomorrow night. Jeanne and Gary Bennett decided a support group was needed after their son enlisted in the Marines.

Right now, the group consists of the Bennetts and one other couple, but they are encouraging other parents and family members to join. Jeanne Bennett says there are a lot of little things for families that can be confusing and the support group can help.

The military family support group will meet Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at First Alliance Church of Toccoa on Highway 17.

State Representative Jeanette Jamieson continues her campaign to pass a state sales tax. Jamieson plans to introduce a bill that, if approved by the voters, would bring about a state sales tax to replace the personal property tax. Jamieson said there has been four years of study on the matter and the idea has received a favorable reaction from most lawmakers and the public.

According to Jamieson, two-thirds of your taxes go to fund local education while less than 50 per cent of the people are actually paying the taxes. In addition, Georgia along with many other states, has been absorbing a high volume of students that do not speak English. This issue puts an extra burden on local school systems. She feels that in public meetings, which would be held around the state before the measure goes to the voters, the public would be in favor of the tax.

Another tax that legislators have been faced with is the gasoline and motor fuel tax, which Governor Sonny Perdue placed a moratorium on through the month of September. The measure, made by an Executive Order, was expected to save the motoring public about 15-cents a gallon at the pump.

Rep. Jamieson approves of the moratorium, but believes there is another issue at hand, which the legislators and the governor will have to face. She said that the State of Georgia would be giving up $75 million dollars in state funds that go to the State Department of Transportation. Those state dollars also draw federal dollars, which makes the loss even greater. Jamieson thinks that with less dollars going to fund local road projects, it is up to the General Assembly to give the motoring public all of the breaks that it deserves to have. Meantime, the General Assembly likely will go back into another session soon to see if it can help Delta Airlines in their bankruptcy issue and what affect it will have on the economy of the state.

Interim Stephens County Extention Agent Jo Evelyn Dean said that with the help of a Home Security Grant, Governor Sonny Perdue wants to have a local group of people educated on the methods used and the products involved in agri-terrorism.

Terrorists can strike this country in a number of ways. One method that is gaining more attention is through the food system, or agri-terrorism. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue is very much aware of the potential this kind of terrorism attack could have on Georgia and the country.

Since 9/11, the Governor wanted to make sure that in case of a threat to the food system, there would be a group of local people who would be the “eyes and ears” of the local community. The University of Georgia developed the program. Recently a seminar was held with representatives from Stephens County, including Ms Dean, and several other local counties to discuss the issue. Ms. Dean spoke about the kinds of terrorist acts that are possible through agriculture. Ms. Dean said that a recently conducted seminar dealt exclusively with the safety of food, plants and animals, like chickens and livestock, which the local community depends upon as a food supply. More meetings are scheduled in the future to cover other issues concerning the safety of agriculture in this country and here in Georgia.

Carnesville is receiving a windfall of cash from the Appalachian Regional Commission. The city was recently awarded $300,000 by the ARC for the construction of a new sewer line extension. The extension will provide 5,800 feet of additional lines in the area of I-85 and exit 164. That is expected to bring $7.55 million in new private sector investments in the area and add up to 75 new jobs.

The 164 exit has long struggled to hold onto businesses. A combination gas and convenience store and Hardees™ once occupied a corner of the exit, but went out of business two years ago. Then another family restaurant tried to make a go of the interstate exit property, but also eventually closed. Since then, the property has remained empty.

In addition to the ARC monies, local sources will provide another $315,000 bringing the total project funding to $615,000.

Fieldale Farms has opened its new hatchery in Lavonia and will be celebrating with a dedication and ribbon-cutting this week. The 83,000 square foot facility is located in the Lavonia Industrial Park just off Georgia 17 on ten acres Fieldale purchased last year.

Including the land acquisition, building construction and state-of-the-art equipment, Fieldale’s investment exceeds $17-million. Steve Collier, Fieldale vice president of live operations tells WNEG they are looking forward to getting the hatchery into full production in the coming weeks. The ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.

More detours around U.S. 441 near Clayton beginning today. Georgia Department of Transportation engineer Russell McMurray says the Camp Creek Road intersection will be closed beginning this morning.

McMurray says the DOT plans to completely rework the intersection south of Clayton to improve the sight distance from Camp Creek turning onto U.S. 441. The intersection will be closed for about 30 days, according to McMurray.

The detour route will direct traffic from Camp Creek Road to Connector Road and then onto Wolf Creek Road and back to U.S. 441. This latest road project is one of 100 major DOT road projects currently underway this summer.

It used to be Frank Anthony’s Hair Salon. Now the little shop on the corner of Sage and Doyle Street is occupied by Power Satellite Services. Owners Janice and Billy Power recently moved back to Toccoa from Virginia Beach, Virginia where they own several satellite stores, and even though they’ve been in Virginia for the past 20 years, Billy Power says Toccoa has always been home. “We’ve been wanting to move back for the past 10 years,” Power said. “But our business in Virginia Beach was doing so well we couldn’t leave. We’ve always come back to Toccoa, and we’re very excited to be doing business downtown,” he said.

Power specifically wanted to keep the “mom and pop” feel in his shop. He said he could have located along Big A Road, but says he’s always loved downtown Toccoa. “I love downtown Toccoa. I remember going for hot dogs with my brothers downtown,” Power recalled. “I could have put my store on Big A Road by Wal-mart but I am in love with downtown Toccoa . We believe in the future of downtown and want to be a part of it,” he said. In addition to satellite TV service, Power sells high-speed Internet service, and high-definition television and HDTV antennas. He plans to be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

As we told you Wednesday, the donations made to the Georgia Baptist Conference Center are still awaiting their recipients. The American Red Cross chapter in Gainesville has had a long relationship with the center, but spokeswoman Laurie Wood says she couldn’t believe the outpouring of support from the people of Stephens County. “Everyone was just tremendous to work with in Stephens County,” Wood said. “I went into a meeting there two weeks ago and the rotunda was empty. When I came out an hour later it was filled with volunteers and supplies for Katrina victims. Whenever I think of it, it brings tears to my eyes,” she said.

According Wood, the Conference Center was next in line to receive Katrina victims, but earlier this week, FEMA stopped all flights out of New Orleans. “Most of the evacuees do not have cars and depend on public transportation so FEMA felt they needed to be located in more urban areas where they could have access to bus and rail service. Also, many did not want to leave that type of area,” Wood explained.

Wood is working with Conference Center Director Bill Wheeler, AM630 WNEG and the Toccoa Record to find a community along the Gulf Coast that needs the money and donations raised here over the past two weeks.

Martin Road in the town of Martin will remain closed for the next several weeks. Just before Hurricane Katrina skirted Florida and threatened our area last month, the Stephens County Road Department closed Martin Road, which floods every time it rains, as a preventative measure.

This week, Road Superintendent Clayton Haines received approval from the County to do the necessary repairs. “We will be removing the cement block system that is there and replacing it with an 8-foot wide steel pipe that will be able to more adequately handle any overflow than what is there now,” Haines said.

Another reason the road floods, according to Haines, is that the creek is not straight. “It’s an S-shape curve and the overflow doesn’t get through the pipe like it’s supposed to, so we’re going to be straightening out the creek so that water will flow through the pipe,” explained Haines. Crews will begin blocking off sections of the bridge this morning. Haines says he expects the road to remain closed for the next several weeks.

Despite two days of testimony and evidence that included a video, it wasn’t enough for a jury to convict a Toccoa man on multiple counts including rape. 41-year old Patrick Bernard Russell walked out of Stephens County Superior Court Wednesday afternoon a free man.

Russell had been charged with statutory rape, two counts of criminal electronic transfer of obscene materials to a minor, two counts of sale of alcohol to minors and illegal possession of a firearm. But late Wednesday afternoon, the jury found Russell not guilty on all counts. Assistant District Attorney Richard Bridgeman who prosecuted the case declined to comment.

The City of Cornelia has put the brakes on residential development for a while. At the request of Cornelia’s Municipal Planning Board, the City Commission voted unanimously to impose a moratorium on applications of annexation, zoning, rezoning, variances and subdivision plat and plan approval for residential areas for the next 60 days.

The moratorium, according to City officials is to allow the Municipal Planning Board and City commissioner’s time to adopt a new comprehensive zoning ordinance. They also plan to develop new subdivision and land development regulations over the next two months.

County Commissioners are throwing their support behind a plan to turn a stretch of the Tugalo Corridor into an education and tourist site. This week, Joe Ferguson, president of the Stephens County Foundation asked the County to assist his group in applying for a grant to help fund the project.

Ferguson said the plan calls for the construction of a Native American village, museum and interpretive center on an 87-acre site. The center would be used as a way to teach students about the history of the area. They also plan to create biking and hiking trails along the river and they want to restore the old covered bridge as part of that phase of the project. The Foundation is already working with a bridge consultant on restoration plans. Ferguson says the entire project will cost the foundation about $1.3 million. So far, they have raised over $250,000 towards the project and the grant will be for a million dollars.

It’s getting harder and harder for low and moderate income workers to buy a house. That’s according to a national study done by the Center for Housing Policy – a coalition advocating affordable housing. The study found the median price of a home in the U.S. rose 20% in just 18 months to $225,000. During the same period, wages for teachers, firefighters and nurses in most cities remained flat or increased only slightly, falling far short of the annual salary needed to buy a home.

The study found for example that the median household income for a nurse was $36,000 and for a firefighter was $37,000. However, those salaries don’t come close the $71,000 annual income needed to qualify to purchase a $225,000 home. Here in Stephens County, the median home price averages around $150,000, according to a recent report by the Norton agency in Gainesville.

Two more candidates have qualified to run for Toccoa City Commission posts. Yesterday, Andrew Pavliscsak qualified to run for Post Three of the Toccoa City Commission against incumbent Mayor Ken Davis. “The incumbent, Mr. Davis, is a well-educated and capable individual,” Pavliscsak noted. “However, I want to provide the people of Toccoa with a choice on Election Day. The voters deserve a Commissioner who will act in their best interest for the overall good of our entire community in every decision that is made by the Commission,” he said.

Pavliscsak is the owner of AJ’s Self Storage on Highway 17 and has been a resident of Stephens County since 1971. He has lived in the City of Toccoa since 1990. In choosing to run, Pavliscsak says people in Toccoa know him for his integrity and fairness. “Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of people in a variety of situations all across North Georgia,” Pavliscsak explained. “The people in this community know me for my fairness in dealing with them and my willingness to help whenever I can. I will be diligent in my effort to bring to the commission the integrity you expect from an elected official. I will work to earn your confidence and provide you with a voice in the decision making process,” he concluded.

Pavliscsak is married to the former Mariesa Hardy of Toccoa. He served two years in the Marine Corps and received a bachelor’s degree from Brenau University. He is retired from the Georgia State Patrol and a member of Hill Street Baptist Church.

David and Tammy Marsteller say they have dropped their lawsuit against the Stephens County School system. The Marstellers filed the lawsuit after they say a teacher circulated an email calling them devil worshippers through the Stephens and Habersham County school systems.

That email was allegedly sent using a school computer. Tammy Marsteller said they decided to call off the suit because of the stress it was causing their family. “For the sake of my family, especially my son,” Marsteller explained. “We have decided that it would be in our best interest not to pursue it any further. We wanted to alert the public as to what was going on and of how to guard their kids from this happening to them. We feel we have done that and we don’t need to do anymore,” she said.

School Superintendent Gary Steppe issued a prepared statement earlier this week saying he was glad the suit had been withdrawn, and said he wanted to focus on the education and children. The Marstellers operated the Ben Street Nightclub on Currahee Street until June, but caused a controversy when they opened their club on Wednesday nights to fans of alternative rock music.

Then in June, they were served with a summons to appear before Toccoa City Commissioners after Toccoa Police filed three charges of lewd activity at the nightclub.

After a public hearing, in which a video of a lewd dancing was shown to Commissioners, the Marstellers voluntarily gave up their liquor license and closed the business because they said they could not count on protection from local law enforcement.

Students from North Georgia Technical College plan to go down to Laurel, Mississippi this weekend with more donations for hurricane victims. North Georgia Tech President Dr. Ruth Nichols says some students will utilize school equipment for the trip. “They will be using trucks from our trucking school to deliver donations to victims in Laurel,” Nichols said.

Supplies are being dropped off at a Baptist church in Laurel that is being used as a warehouse for donated goods. Storm victims are able to stop by the church to pick up what they need. Nichols says students will be delivering donations of every kind, including some from students in the Habersham County school system. “They’re bringing down pillows, clothes, and one woman donated 20,000 pairs of new jeans from her warehouse,” she said.

Later this year, construction students will be working with Habitat for Humanity in Laurel to help rebuild houses for victims of Katrina.

All of Stephens County has been awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Katrina evacuees at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center, but they’re not coming. Yesterday, Conference Center Director Bill Wheeler got word from the American Red Cross that none are coming here. “Laurie Wood called to say that the Georgia Baptist Conference could stand down and no evacuees would be transported here,” Wheeler said.

Now the question arises: what to do with all those donations and the money raised by AM630 WNEG and the Toccoa Record? Station manager Phil Hobbs says the goal is to find a community along the gulf that needs our help. “We hear a lot about what’s being done to help victims from New Orleans and Biloxi, but not much about how to help storm victims from communities the size of Toccoa,” Hobbs noted. “We are currently working with the Salvation Army and other groups to find a way to deliver the generous donations of money and supplies we’ve collected to a smaller, needy community,” he said.

Over the past two weeks, about 150 volunteers donated their time and hundreds of others donated their items, food and resources in preparation for the evacuees. Wheeler says the outpouring of love and concern for the victims of Katrina here has been tremendous. “We have over seven large conference rooms filled with donated supplies. This experience has allowed us to build a database of 465 individuals who have said they are willing to help in specific ways during an emergency situation, which really improves our ability to respond quickly in the case of a future emergency,” he said.

Hobbs says they hope to have an announcement on where those donations and the money raised will be going by early next week.